User reviews

Before I start this review, I have to admit I have a soft spot for Luca Guadagnino and his directing style, which really speaks to me on an emotional level.

The movie is not perfect, but I enjoyed watching it, as to me this mixture of gory horror and on the road romance is quite new.

The plot is quite thin and the pace of the movie is slow and indefinite, but to me this is not negative: in the two hours of screentime I was never bored, and I sort of felt like I was on the road along with the protagonists.

The lead actors were really good, and in my opinion this was one of the best performances by Timothée Chalamet, whose chemistry with Guadagnino is undeniable. I think he was particularly suited for this role, because his innocent face and body perfectly communicated the nature of his character, conflicted between his monstrous instincts and his good heart.

The best performance was anyway delivered by Mark Rylance, whose creepy character Sully was great for keeping the tension high throughout the whole movie.

I really loved the poetic atmospheres of the road trip scenes, so typical of Guadagnino.

The negative aspects that can't be denied are the poor development of the characters, which makes it hard to root for them, and the quality of the dialogues, which are often shallow.

Personally I didn't appreciate the ending scene and the related dialogue especially.

Despite some negative specs, I would absolutely suggest seeing it, if you don't mind some pretty gory scenes.

Two birds of a feather with a common appetite, living in the shadows with a curse they try to fight, struggle to give in, to temptations that spellbind, an addiction of the mind that leaves them hamstrung and confined; finding others with dependencies more practiced and distilled, whose lives have little meaning, all alone and unfulfilled, helpless and exposed by the hand they've all been played, the promised life and expectations, all diminished and betrayed.

Some great performances but all eclipsed by Taylor Russell who is outstanding as the conflicted Maren struggling to come to terms with who she is and what she can and cannot do about it.

Personally I really loved it . I understand some people expected something different out of this because of the trailer so I can see why that could have let some people down. What you can easily tell is that it's a horror romance for sure. It's a big reason why I wanted to see because for me the blending of genres is really fun for me.(ex: spring 2014 film)spring Yes , it is a bit of a drifter kind of story so from time to time the plot does meander a bit. However, I thought that added to the feel and atmosphere of the film so if that's not for you I get it . I definitely found the ending of this to be bittersweet but I'll except that , bones and all .

Bones & All is the latest film from Luca Guadagnino featuring his favourite Timothée Chalamet but centres around Taylor Russell's Maren. And holy moly is she good!

Bones & All at its core is a love story; a story of outcasts trying to figure out how to exist in the world. Don't let the underlying love story fool you, this is NEXT LEVEL GORY! If you are squeamish in any way, Bones & All is not for you.

With that being said, I did enjoy this film but it also seemed like something was missing. There's one particular scene in the movie where two characters are driving together and it is cringe-level dialogue.

On a plus, Mark Rylance is great and hella creepy! Just want you want from an old man waiting for you in the dark.

I had high expectations for this film given some of the cast, especially Timothée Chalamet, who never disappoints. I was really excited to see this movie given the controversial and disturbing topic that attempts to combine romance with its horror. I am so frustrated by the fact that I truly believe this could've been "a win for cinema", as a famous critic has stated the movie was. I felt like all the pieces of the puzzle were there, but they didn't make a picture. Like others have said, there were so many plot holes, build-ups that lead to nothing, and cramped scenes with little time to involve yourself in the characters. The connection between Maren and Lee didn't feel believable, nor did it feel like they were given enough screen time to make that happen.

It felt like the director tried to capture too much in 2 hours and it ended up being a scattered slideshow of artsy scenes with gore and confusion. The 5/10 stars I give is for the acting, mainly on the part of Chalamet and Rylance. My other 5 is lost to the direction, editing, and script of the film.

The trailer and hype was 10x better than the movie itself, so all you need to watch is that. This could've been a true masterpiece, and I desperately wanted it to be. I found myself trying to be convinced it was good, but ultimately faced the honesty that it fell through. A chance for beauty, lost to the wind.

Fair to say I went in to this with pretty high expectations (considering I'm a genuine admirer of director Luca Guadagnino, since he made one of my favourite films "Call Me By Your Name") & sadly, as much as it physically pains me to say it, they just weren't met here. You could argue my disappointment is therefore my own fault - because the film endeavoured to achieve something I had not initially anticipated - (& that is a valid countenance to make, to a degree, as I'm judging it from a biased perspective, basing my opinions on what I'd originally envisioned etc.) but quite frankly, upon much rumination... After trying to consider what it was actually trying to do instead - other than tell a frustratingly shallow & simplistic tale about 2 cannibals falling in love - I still remain nonethewiser? Hence, the lack of any discernible purpose (that could justify the gruesome subject matter) irked me somewhat by the time I'd reached the end, as I'd assumed the theme of cannibalism would at the very least be allegorical & used to convey a deeper message to the audience. Alas, it wasn't - as far as I could decipher.

Yes, the movie is shot in a very intimate way, capturing the rawness of the emotions which are experienced between the two leads & the resultant primal nature of their bond - sealed by a forbidden urge neither can control - so I understand the filmmaker's desire to capture a stripped back depiction of "love", mirroring how primitive it is, ironically at its heart... But there's nothing linking that to the viewer (in a developed world) which could result in anything clear or relatable, so the meaning (if there is one?) feels sadly lost. The creative team at the helm therefore may have benefitted, drawing comparisons between the fictional reality & our own, portraying the romance as LGBT+ (immediately drawing parallels, using one controversial behaviour - rightfully - frowned upon by society as an extreme example to contrast it against another, which still isn't completely accepted - perhaps showing how ostracism results in deep connections being made between soulmates who share the same trauma / outlook?) but again, that potential is squandered frustratingly, despite the fact that briefly, it does seem to be headed in that direction - funnily enough, when it works most effectively.

Plus, it doesn't help that Timothée Chalamet's on screen chemistry with the aforementioned male (who has a fleeting role) is ten times stronger than that of which features alongside Taylor Russell; confounding the problem by acting as an immediate reminder of a more fruitful path this could've easily been taken in.

I see a lot of potential here & the possibilities for what could've been are enticing (a commentary on male entitlement, the destructiveness of addiction, or maybe showing how the worst of us have a chance at redemption if we're willing to commit to the idea of our own betterment?) but nothing is ever clear enough to feel satisfying or fulfilling, upon completion... So ironically, we do not enjoy this "Bones & All."

I saw it for Timothée Chalamet. And his work is just admirable. But the great job is offered by absolutely impressive Mark Rylance, giving a version of evil absolutely fantastic.

No doubts, Taylor Russell represents the perfect option for role of Maurene.

One of virtues - the atmosphere of Reagan United States. In same measure, the touch, especially in the meetings, of South Gothic. Another virtue - the gentle poeetry, the travel becoming, in some measure, scene by scene, yours. The exploration of family, in the perspective of young adults is another good point.

The sin - maybe, the paradoxal hurry, the characters remaining more sketches .

But , indeed, a beautiful film, deserving the atention each minute from its two hours.

What do you get when you join horror and romance in the same movie? You get BONES AND ALL. This movie, directed by Luca Guadagnino and written by Dave Kajganich, based on the novel by Camille DeAngelis, follows the story of Maren (Taylor Russell), a young woman abandoned by her father who goes on a thousand-mile odyssey across America. On her journey, she meets Lee (Timothée Chalamet), a disenfranchised drifter with whom she forms a bond. However, their pasts come back to haunt them and lead to a showdown that will determine if their love can survive the darkness of their otherness.

This movie intriguingly blends cannibalistic horror and romance, while exploring themes of identity, acceptance, and embracing one's truth. Taylor Russell as Maren gives a captivating performance that is both heartbreaking and empowering. Timothée Chalamet's portrayal of a young man trying to find peace in an unjust world is also spellbinding. The script is filled with striking dialogue, and the haunting score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross adds depth to this mesmerising story.

BONES AND ALL is an intense, heartbreaking, and uplifting tale that is sure to leave an impact. It's a must-watch for anyone who enjoys horror and romance, or simply needs a reminder of the power of love. Be warned though - this movie has lots of blood and gore, so it's not for the faint of heart.

One of the weirdest and grossest films of the year, but also one of the most creative. This is a movie that at its core level is about outcasts trying to find their way in the world, so it really has that coming-of-age feel. I felt there were moments of shock value but this movie was immensely slow paced and at times I did find myself disengaged with it. The cinematography is very good and the performances are solid. The characters are all very strange and it makes their interaction a bit more fascinating all the way through.

Synopsis: BONES AND ALL is a story of first love between Maren, a young woman learning how to survive on the margins of society, and Lee, an intense and disenfranchised drifter; a liberating road odyssey of two young people coming into their own, searching for identity and chasing beauty in a perilous world that cannot abide who they are.

Before I entered the movie theater I had that feeling creep up. The one I got when I finished reading Romeo and Juliet as a kid, the one that left me feeling numb after CMBYN. I was so excited, I paid for 2 of my friends tickets so that they could see it with me. I was prepared to leave the theater with a gaping hole in my chest. I was prepared to feel the grief of finishing a gut wrenching novel, with tears streaming uncontrollably down my face.

I left the theater with an upturned face and a bag of popcorn filled 3/4 of the way (I lost my appetite... so did my friends). The gore was fine and expected btw. As I tossed and turned in bed that night I kept wondering... why on earth didn't I LOVE this movie? It had all of the elements of a perfect movie.

This morning, I had an aha moment. I never felt personally invested in the characters. Maybe their other worldly-ness was the intention. The movie did explore themes of morality and trauma bonding. However... I needed to get to know the characters more, in order to grieve them. Their cannibalism was the focal point of their entire personhood.

I liked the scene where Lee played Kiss in the bedroom. I liked the montage into their attempt at normalcy (should've been longer). I loved that during the final scene they zoomed in on the poptarts, CD's and condom wrapper. It just wasn't enough for me to feel something. I needed more. They had an entire road trip! What did they talk about?? Why did they actually love each other, besides the trauma bonding. Who were they besides their disease? What did they really think? I couldn't relate. I couldn't connect. What we end up loving about people are the little things. I didn't love them, I didn't grieve their story.

After seeing the poster and reading this description: "Maren, a young woman, learns how to survive on the margins of society."

I had no interest in watching this movie. Then I heard what it's actually about, and suddenly I was interested. I like weird stuff.

This is a well-made movie with good performances across the board. There is a really shocking moment early on that got me excited for what was to come.

Unfortunately, from there the movie just meanders. We go through this story with these characters over a period of time, but it all seems pointless. It's extremely boring and I had trouble getting through it. And when it ended, I felt like I wasted my time. (1 viewing, 3/15/2023)

I kept saying "I can't believe it" when the credits were rolling.

BONES & ALL is absolutely twisted, gut-wrenching, and epically tragic. It floored & devastated my girlfriend and I, to the point that not only was plentiful crying done during the film, but more crying was done several hours later when discussing the movie and reflecting upon its immensely heavy scenes and themes. I expected to be consuming something rather "different", but could not have imagined the way that this film seamlessly combines its brutal horror and tragic drama - people will say "this isn't horror" but the truth is it's a horror film that also happens to be a fantastic drama, therefore it's what a horror movie would be if people accepted that...horror films can actually be good films, with emotional depth, which never seems to be accepted and rarely occurs in this day and age.

I had no idea Luca Guadagnino had this in him. I'd previously seen Call Me By Your Name and his Suspiria remake and although I enjoyed both to an extent, I thought both felt partially like they meandered for a great fraction of their runtime. CMBYN was kind of boring until the end when it's tragedy took hold and it became beautiful. Suspiria was mostly all boring to me with sporadic moments of creative and atmospheric brilliance throughout. Bones & All was nothing like this for me. Though it starts strong, then is a slow-burner for a bit, it's a consistent build from the title card to its finale, which I found to be increasingly gripping, crushing, and impressive as it went on.

The performances are thoroughly phenomenal. Mark Rylance gives one of the most terrifying performances I think I've ever seen. This is now probably my favorite Timothee Chalamet role - though he is almost always fantastic, this one really falls perfectly into my wheelhouse and it's incredible the way his charm works so organically amidst such dark elements otherwise - it adds a much needed counterweight and bit of relief amidst the utter bleakness of this film otherwise. This was my first impression of lead actress Taylor Russell and she was wonderful - a gentle, nuanced, and very realistic presence - perfect for channeling this character's complex story of being a victim to her own nature, and basically being forced to wander the earth like an abandoned puppy. Do you have severe abandonment issues? If so, this movie will probably hit you hard! The sadness and loneliness that is channeled through Russell's performance is portrayed masterfully. And, I was happy to see Anna Cobb (lead actress from my other favorite horror film of the year, We're All Going To The World's Fair), in her second legit screen role. And, then you have Chloe Sevigny in perhaps her most terrifying appearance ever???

Without question, Bones & All is one of the greatest films of 2022. It is a singular masterpiece. I've never seen anything like it. I can't stop thinking about it. It is full of so much heart and pain. Pure viscera! To make a brutally violent movie about being cannibals in 2022 and have it hit so hard in an emotional sense - this feat is great! And, Trent Reznor's somber music score doesn't hurt - I'm specifically keen on the "I'm With You" cues from the score - these are the ones that best capture the overall tone of the film's great amount of beauty that is hiding just under its pile of flesh and blood.

Closing, I guarantee that most people will hate this movie because that always seems to be the general consensus whenever a new movie comes out that actually challenges its viewers thematically and emotionally. But, Luca...Timothee...and everyone else, y'all have made something truly, truly, truly special here.

The movie you see here is just that, a movie. Names, places and characters have been changed or added for effect and drama. Nothing was changed to save the author's identity. The director took a lot, I mean a LOT of liberties with this film. Was the film watchable? Yes, it was, but I could spend two hours doing anything else!

The acting was pretty good, but it wasn't over the top, and at times, it often seemed like Timothee Chalamet phoned his lines in! Mark Rylance plays a rather creepy guy, kind of like the uncle you want to avoid at a family reunion. Taylor Russell could use a few acting lessons too.

The movie is over two hours, just in case you need a reason not to watch it! I watched it once, and that will probably be the last time I see the film, unless I get Alzheimer's and decide I haven't seen it before!

As a massive admirer of Luca Guadagnino's work, it saddens me to say that Bones & All is disappointing.

Even though the cinematography and atmosphere are beautiful and what you would expect from the visual master, the film suffers from tonal shifts and a very talky script that is only saved by a fantastic turn by Mark Rylance. His menacing presence is the feature only redeeming quality.

The narrative is overstretched by a terribly slow pace reinforced by wooden dialogues between lovers that don't have much chemistry to begin with. Timothée Chalamet is clearly miscast as his sweet and soft demeanor don't match with the supposed danger and inner violence of his character.

Star of the show, Taylor Russell is beautiful and haunting. She also carries much of the movie on her frail shoulder. But the underdeveloped family moments and repetitive travel adventures don't help to build much of her personality. So when we get to the core horror aspect of the movie it mostly fails. Most "gory" moments are contrived, shoehorned inside the romance. They are too few, tonally all over the place and end up underwhelming.

After the masterful Suspiria, I was really expecting Guadagnino to deliver on the horror front but I think he got sucked away by the gorgeous landscapes and forgot to build up tension or fear. Bones & All ultimately ends up being a tiresome teen romance road trip interrupted by bizarre gory scenes. I will just rewatch Kathryn Bigelow's masterpiece "Near Dark" which I think would have been the perfect inspiration.

Plot summaries are misleading if they only discuss the good acting and touching love story and leave out the fact that it's all in the context of gory cannibalism. Is that too much to ask? Just tell us enough about what we are considering paying money and taking time to see so that we can make an informed decision. At least IMDB labels it as horror. RT does not, and there is no mention of cannibalism in the plot summary. It makes me wonder If there is more money to be made by misleading the public. The theater was full. Many people were obviously captivated by the story. Some got up and left. We hated it. Walked out.